One of the major plumbing issues that cause extensive damage to your home is sewage backup. This happens when wastewater backs up through your drains, sinks, and toilets. Plumbing issues like sewage backup not only wreak havoc on your home but it can also pose a health risk to your family. Let us find out what causes this plumbing concern and what we can do to fix it.
What Causes A Sewer Backup?
Knowing the root cause of the problem can help you avoid the cost and inconvenience of sewage backup. Here are the usual causes.
Municipal Street Sewer Issues
We recently had a client who experienced sewage backing up from the municipal street sewer being overwhelmed during rainstorms. It caused massive sewage backups in their nicely finished basement. This often occurs when the municipal sewage system is overloaded with water and the sewage eventually backs up through the basement floor. Although a municipal sewer line can handle loads of water, excessive rain can still overload the system. So as soon as you see dripping water on your basement floor, contact a professional plumber to check and fix the issue before it gets worse! It’s also important to contact the local public work office in the municipality if the issue persists.
Outdated and Old Sewer System
An outdated and old sewer system is common in old houses (usually built before the 1950s). Their sewage system is usually made of cast-iron pipes, clay pipes, or Orangeburg (fiber conduit pipe). These type of pipes may be durable, but it also deteriorates over time. It’s a good idea to schedule a regular sewer line inspection to check if the old pipes are still intact and ensure that they are not leaking. Otherwise, replace your old sewer system with PVC or ABS plastic sewer pipe to avoid the stress of sewage backup.
Proper plumbing maintenance is still a good method of prevention. We suggest that you schedule a sewer line inspection with a trusted plumbing professional to check the condition of your sewer lines. We also advise that you do a regular pipe cleaning to prevent any clogs that can cause serious backups. Avoid fat, oils, and other solid materials from flowing down the drain as it can also cause blockages that trigger sewage backup.
You Can Trust Us For Your Sewer Maintenance Needs!
Trust Rochester New York’s best plumbers for your home’s sewer maintenance. Contact us to schedule an appointment and we are here to help you!
Have you been exploring DIY? There are many DIY resources available online. You can fix things at your own time and convenience… and at your own risk! Though doing DIY is a fun thing to do, there is always a risk involved especially with plumbing jobs. There are things that an amateur cannot do that a professional plumber can do! But if you are settled with DIY solutions, then you need to know the common mistakes to avoid when installing a drain in the sink.
What Are The Common Mistakes Of Installing A Drain In The Sink?
Doing things DIY is an accomplishment when done right. However if not done correctly, it can lead to serious plumbing repairs which cost too much time and money. To avoid common mistakes in installing a drain in the sink, we listed some of the things that you need to avoid when working with DIY drain installation.
Avoid Low-Quality Materials
Quality indeed comes with a cost. However, it is more costly to pay for yearly (sometimes monthly) repairs using low-quality materials. Even if you do DIY sink installation right, it can be a failure when joints become loose causing drains to leak. If you are concerned with your budget, there is always a place to look for low-cost and quality materials. You can visit any Habitat for Humanity store near you. Here, you can find gently used home improvement materials that fit your budget. Installing a new drain in the sink can be budget-friendly without compromising quality.
Over Usage of Plumber’s Putty
A plumber’s putty is a flexible sealant that is used when installing a drain in the sink. It can provide a leak-proof seal for a long time when applied correctly. Too much plumber’s putty can make your drain installation project look sloppy. It can also damage other parts of your sink’s plumbing if overly done due to improper fixtures.
Applying Less Than The Required Amount Of Plumber’s Putty
If overusage of plumbers’ putty is bad, it’s the same if you apply less than the required amount. Applying a very small amount of plumber’s putty can leave air pockets or spaces that allow water to leak through. This can also impact the durability of the sink since parts are not firmly fixed. Make it a habit to read the manufacturer’s instructions to know the exact amount of putty to apply.
Avoid Using Corrosive Cleaning Agents In the Sink Drain
Most people rely on acid cleaning agents for a quick cleaning result. However, using acid to clean the drain can be damaging due to its corrosive properties. You can instead switch to eco-friendly products that are safe for the environment and also for your drains (old or new).
What To Do With Persistent Drain Issues?
Installing a new drain in the sink is a quick way to resolve drain issues. But what if plumbing issues are still occurring? If your DIY install attempt fails, then it’s time to get help from a professional plumber. Contact Rochester New York’s best plumbers right now to schedule an appointment.
Your sewer line plays an important role in moving grease, soap, and detergent through your plumbing system. If your sewer line is leaking or broken, you need to fix it as quickly as possible. However, the sewer lines are concealed in walls and floors and issues can be left unseen until something worse happens. In this case, how would you know if you need to call for a sewer line repair service?
How Would You Know That You Need A Sewer Line Repair?
There are obvious signs that you can look at in order to determine if you need to call for a sewer line repair service. Do not ignore the warning signs! Contact a professional plumber immediately whenever you experienced the following signs.
Spread Of Mold
There may be water damage lurking underneath the wall and below your floor. Water damage causes moisture on surfaces which is the best habitat for mold to grow. This is a clear sign of water damage happening in your home which may need sewer line repair.
Flooded Yard With Foul Odor
It is not normal for a yard to get flooded with a bad smell of sewage. If there is a sudden flood in your yard with a nasty smell, this is also a sign that there is something bad going on with your sewer lines that need to be treated.
Water Not Draining Properly
Your toilet can tell you the signs! If you can hear a gurgling noise as you flush, it may indicate that something is blocking the pipes that requires repair service.
Different Types Of Sewer Line Repair
Depending on the issue that your plumbing system is dealing with, there are various ways to repair your sewer line.
Snaking
Snaking works by using a cable with specialized blades at the end. It clears your sewer lines by cutting through roots and clogs that prevent your drainage system from running smoothly.
Hydrojetting
This method works in two ways. First, the high-powered water jet cuts through roots and clogs, clearing and cleaning the drain. Second, the camera attached to the equipment not only helps our expert plumber to see what is being cleared but also identifies other issues.
Pipe Replacement
There are cases when a sewer line replacement is the best option to fix the damages. Our expert plumber may find a collapsed pipe (during camera inspection) and replacing it is the only solution. Pipes may collapse due to tree root invasion and pipe corrosion.
Who Do I Reach Out To For Sewer Line Repair Service?
Our licensed plumbers are well-equipped and ready to handle your sewer line issues. Call us anytime and we are here to help.
Sewer line repairs can happen anytime for a home or business establishment. There are methods or solutions in dealing with sewer repairs that can either be effective or cause inconvenience. In special cases, pipe bursting is one method that is proven to fix your pipes effectively with less damage to your property. But what is pipe bursting and when should it be considered?
Trenchless Technology For Sewer Line Repair
Pipe bursting is a trenchless technology that does not require digging your property to fix or repair your sewer line. That means you can carry on with your day-to-day activities at home, and business can go on as it is. This technology is very convenient and hassle-free. A sewer line repair can take many days to complete and it may interrupt your daily activities. But with trenchless technology, repairs can be done within the day and even a few hours!
How Is Pipe Bursting Done?
Pipe bursting involves the process of expanding and breaking the damaged or old pipes while simultaneously replacing them with new lines. A “bursting head” is fitted through the existing line and once it is pulled, it fractures the existing line. The new pipe is connected to the “bursting head” which drags and places the new line behind it.
Situations When Pipe Bursting Is Applicable
There are particular situations to consider when you apply this trenchless technology.
Property’s Aesthetics
If you are someone who cares about the landscaping of your property, then it is a good option. Since this is a trenchless technology, there is no need to dig large holes in your yard that may affect your property’s aesthetics. This method keeps your property intact and doesn’t require large-scale repair of your property’s landscaping.
Environmental Concerns
Going for trenchless technology is more eco-friendly than other sewer line repair methods. With this kind of technology, there is no need to use chemicals that are harmful to the surrounding environment. Also, the HDPE (High-density polyethylene) pipe commonly used for this technology is made of environmentally safe material. If you opt for sustainability, this is the right choice!
Cleaner Repair Option
This trenchless method of sewer line repair is the cleanest solution we can recommend. The method is the least disruptive since there is less digging on your property that could destroy your landscaping.
If Efficiency is A Must!
Traditional methods of repairing or replacing pipes may take days to finish. But pipe bursting can be completed within the day.
Is Pipe Bursting For Me?
This trenchless solution is applicable for special cases. We can help you assess the condition of your pipelines to figure out the right solution. Contact us now to schedule an assessment!
Tree roots can easily slip through and invade your sewer line. They are silent destroyers of your sewer line that can lead to numerous expenses. But they can be eliminated and prevented. In this article, we will discuss some of the alternative ways for getting rid of tree roots in sewer lines before they thrive and cause further damages. However, these approaches are NOT recommended due to their safety risks and tedious nature. We always recommend cleaning tree roots mechanically using a snake machine or sewer line replacement.
Handyman Ideas For Getting Rid Of Tree Roots In Sewer Line
You can get rid of roots on a sewer line at the early stage of growth. There are inexpensive DIY solutions that you can use such as:
Rock Salt
This is different from table salt. This is the kind of salt that is thrown on icy sidewalks during winter. All you have to do is to gradually flush a couple of pounds (1/2 pound at a time) of rock salt down the toilet. Allow the rock salt to sit in the pipes for 12 hours by turning off the water. By doing this, you are creating an environment that is hostile for small roots to grow and slowly killing them.
Copper Sulfate
Also known as bluestone, copper sulfate is a type of herbicide. What you will do is flush 1/2 cup of copper sulfate on the toilet. To move the bluestone down the pipes, flush multiple times. Caution though, copper sulfate can be toxic for animals. It is suggested that you leave the house with your pets and come back after several hours. The effect of the bluestone may take a few days and you need to be patient. Please contact the United States EPA for further information about the safe usage of copper sulfate.
Concentrated Weed Killer and Dishwashing Liquid Combo
Mix 400 ml of dishwashing liquid to 800 ml weed killer. After mixing, leave them
for several hours so they can bond together. Pour the mixture on your toilet and flush gradually to ensure it travels to the pipes. Do not flush your toilet until after 24 hours. The foam created by the mixture should coat the roots causing them to die. Caution: This can also kill nearby trees. If you go with this option, talk it over with your household.
For stubborn tree roots, let the professional deal with it!
Dealing with tree roots in sewer line can be a tough one. If a DIY solution in getting rid of tree roots doesn’t work, let a professional do it. Our expert plumber can cut the roots using a snake machine with several tips for cutting and retrieval. This equipment can also remove other debris that causes clogs. There are scenarios wherein the real culprit is those little cracks on the pipes where roots can easily slip in. Our master plumber may also recommend repairing or replacing the pipes if found out to be damaged that allows the roots to grow inside.
We Are Here At Your Service
For professional removal of tree roots in sewer line, talk to us so we can help you.
Trees add beauty to a property. It can either beautify your surrounding or destroy your sewer line due to root growth. The best solution is still prevention. With roots wrecking your plumbing system underneath and unseen, how can you apply prevention? You need to figure out the signs of tree roots in the sewer line.
What are the signs of tree roots in sewer line?
•The initial sign is slow drains telling you that something is blocking your sewer line.
• Slow flushing toilet and sewage back up. If your toilet is showing these signs with gurgling noise when you flush, roots may have entered the pipes.
• Clogged pipes caused by root obstruction.
• Unpleasant smell coming from damaged sewer line caused by root growth.
How to prevent tree roots from destroying your sewer line?
Avoid the inconvenience by taking the following preventive measures.
• If you are planning to plant trees and shrubs, make sure to stay away from any sewer line. If you are not sure where to locate the sewer line on your property, you can call 811 “Call Before You Dig” hotline for help.
• If you plant near the sewer lines, choose slow-growing trees with a small root ball. It is also recommended to limit the number of plants you place near the sewer lines. If you are going to plant large trees, make sure that they are far away from sewer lines for roots to reach.
• Regular plumbing inspection and maintenance can prevent root growth inside the pipes.
Professional Tree Root Removal
Our master plumbers are well experienced in dealing with tree roots removal. How do we approach this problem?
• We use a specialized camera to probe through the sewer line and drainpipes to locate damaged areas. In this way, we will be able to determine if it is indeed tree roots that are causing the problem or something else.
• We might recommend snaking the line using several snake machine tips. Through this procedure, our master plumbers will be able to retrieve roots and other debris that is causing the blockage.
• If there is a hole in the pipe that is allowing roots to enter, the only way to fix this is by digging up the line and making a repair. While the camera is in the line, we bring out sonar equipment which allows us to precisely identify where in the pipe the roots are entering. They will make markings in the yard to identify where exactly the line should be dug up and a repair made.
Bury Your Head In the Sand or Take Action
Do not allow tree roots to invade and destroy your sewer line. If you see signs of tree roots in the sewer line, take action, or be sorry. Contact us to learn more about how our service can help you. Leone Plumbing & Heating is here to relieve your stress caused by plumbing concerns.
We recently had a client who experienced sewage backing up from the municipal street sewer being overwhelmed during rainstorms. It caused massive sewage backups in their nicely finished basement. This often occurs when the municipal sewage system is overloaded with water and the sewage eventually backs up through the basement floor. Although a municipal sewer line can handle loads of water, excessive rain can still overload the system. So as soon as you see dripping water on your basement floor, contact a professional plumber to check and fix the issue before it gets worse! It’s also important to contact the local public work office in the municipality if the issue persists.
Proper plumbing maintenance is still a good method of prevention. We suggest that you schedule a sewer line inspection with a trusted plumbing professional to check the condition of your sewer lines. We also advise that you do a regular pipe cleaning to prevent any clogs that can cause serious backups. Avoid fat, oils, and other solid materials from flowing down the drain as it can also cause blockages that trigger sewage backup.
Have you been exploring DIY? There are many DIY resources available online. You can fix things at your own time and convenience… and at your own risk! Though doing DIY is a fun thing to do, there is always a risk involved especially with plumbing jobs. There are things that an amateur cannot do that a professional plumber can do! But if you are settled with DIY solutions, then you need to know the common mistakes to avoid when installing a drain in the sink.
Your sewer line plays an important role in moving grease, soap, and detergent through your plumbing system. If your sewer line is leaking or broken, you need to fix it as quickly as possible. However, the sewer lines are concealed in walls and floors and issues can be left unseen until something worse happens. In this case, how would you know if you need to call for a sewer line repair service?
Snaking works by using a cable with specialized blades at the end. It clears your sewer lines by cutting through roots and clogs that prevent your drainage system from running smoothly.
Sewer line repairs can happen anytime for a home or business establishment. There are methods or solutions in dealing with sewer repairs that can either be effective or cause inconvenience. In special cases, pipe bursting is one method that is proven to fix your pipes effectively with less damage to your property. But what is pipe bursting and when should it be considered?
Tree roots can easily slip through and invade your sewer line. They are silent destroyers of your sewer line that can lead to numerous expenses. But they can be eliminated and prevented. In this article, we will discuss some of the alternative ways for getting rid of tree roots in sewer lines before they thrive and cause further damages. However, these approaches are NOT recommended due to their safety risks and tedious nature. We always recommend cleaning tree roots mechanically using a snake machine or sewer line replacement.
